10k v 14k T5's...

Jimbob. · 04/25/2011, 03:16 PM

Hi all,

I know the difference between the two vaguely, but i am after opinions.

I am planning to run 2x 14k T5's and 2x Blue plus, would anyone recommend this?

Or would you recommend sticking a 10k on there instead of one of the 14k?

Tank is 24'' tall, lights sit about 7 inches above the water level.

Thanks

Uncle Salty 05 · 04/25/2011, 03:30 PM

It is really a matter of how much blue you want and what you will be keeping.
IMO 10K MH (I do not run T5s) give better growth rates than 14K does but they are not as pleasing to the eye, again IMO.

mike_cmu04 · 04/25/2011, 03:37 PM

10k can look pretty yellow I would stick to the 14k

Jimbob. · 04/26/2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Salty 05

It is really a matter of how much blue you want and what you will be keeping.
IMO 10K MH (I do not run T5s) give better growth rates than 14K does but they are not as pleasing to the eye, again IMO.

I do like a bit of Blue...

Tends to make colours pop more, i'll be keeping softies, predominantly LPS and a couple of easy to keep SPS.

MrGoodbar · 04/26/2011, 09:05 AM

I have 10k that is pretty blue. I haven't tried 14k maybe when I need new bulbs. I love the color of the tank right now tho.

Uncle Salty 05 · 04/26/2011, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbob.

I do like a bit of Blue...

Tends to make colours pop more, i'll be keeping softies, predominantly LPS and a couple of easy to keep SPS.

I hope you have a lot of T5s because SPS like lots of light.

Jimbob. · 04/26/2011, 09:48 AM

I have 4x39w.

Uncle Salty 05 · 04/26/2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbob.

I have 4x39w.

On what size tank?

Jimbob. · 04/26/2011, 10:30 AM

42 US Gallon, total volume after LR, Sand, Glass thickness etc.

I only wanted to keep Hystrix and Montipora from SPS.

Uncle Salty 05 · 04/26/2011, 10:34 AM

You will need to keep them high in the tank near the surface and that still may not be enough light.
Those are not easy species to keep, they like intense light and pristine water.

Jimbob. · 06/07/2011, 05:29 AM

I now have 6x39w, bought myself a Pendant, two 14k whites, two Aquablue + and two 50:50 Hybrid Bulbs.

Would that be sufficient for some SPS?

greech · 06/07/2011, 06:37 AM

I would say yes but just to clarify what you have what is the pendant (halide?) and are the 50/50 bulbs power compacts? Sounds like you have T5's, halides and power compacts but maybe I am wrong.

Jimbob. · 06/07/2011, 06:47 AM

I have T5's.

The 50:50 are Hybrid T5's, sorry should have made clearer

bnumair · 06/07/2011, 06:59 AM

10k is more white/brite and growth will be good while 14k will be bluer and colors will pop out more. i personally run 20k bulbs.

greech · 06/07/2011, 07:16 AM

Yes you have enough light but I wouldn't try and grow acros on the sand bed. Not sure of the PAR of the 50/50 bulbs but you may want to change those out for higher PAR bulbs like the ATI Blue+, Aquablue Special or even something like a Purple+ (lower PAR but still decent) down the road.

Jimbob. · 06/08/2011, 01:46 AM

I will be getting a Purple tube soon, unsure of the PAR of the 50/50 bulbs, but i know they combine a 10k white with an Actinic hue.

Are 2 14k whites sufficient? What would you say to running another Blue Plus and a Purple?

Current tube config is

50/50
Blue Plus
14k White
Blue Plus
14k White
50/50

I certainly wouldn't try keeping Acro's on the Sandbed, but it would be nice to know that when my tank is stable with Params, that i can begin my journey into SPS without too much fuss

Jimbob. · 06/09/2011, 06:48 PM

The 50:50 tubes are supposed to have similar PAR output to the 14k, would anyone recommend changing one out for a KZ Fiji purple?

04/25/2011, 03:16 PM	#1
Jimbob. Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 120	10k v 14k T5's... Hi all, I know the difference between the two vaguely, but i am after opinions. I am planning to run 2x 14k T5's and 2x Blue plus, would anyone recommend this? Or would you recommend sticking a 10k on there instead of one of the 14k? Tank is 24'' tall, lights sit about 7 inches above the water level. Thanks

04/25/2011, 03:30 PM	#2
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	It is really a matter of how much blue you want and what you will be keeping. IMO 10K MH (I do not run T5s) give better growth rates than 14K does but they are not as pleasing to the eye, again IMO. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

04/25/2011, 03:37 PM	#3
mike_cmu04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Shepherd, Mi Posts: 2,348	10k can look pretty yellow I would stick to the 14k __________________ 92 Gallon corner tank, 2-radion gen 2 led lights, 2 mp40's Current Tank Info: 92 Gallon Corner Tank

04/26/2011, 09:05 AM	#5
MrGoodbar Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 309	I have 10k that is pretty blue. I haven't tried 14k maybe when I need new bulbs. I love the color of the tank right now tho. __________________ MrGoodbar Current Tank Info: Red Sea Max NANO 20gal

04/26/2011, 10:34 AM	#10
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	You will need to keep them high in the tank near the surface and that still may not be enough light. Those are not easy species to keep, they like intense light and pristine water. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

04/26/2011, 09:48 AM	#7
Jimbob. Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 120	I have 4x39w.

04/26/2011, 10:30 AM	#9
Jimbob. Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 120	42 US Gallon, total volume after LR, Sand, Glass thickness etc. I only wanted to keep Hystrix and Montipora from SPS.

06/07/2011, 05:29 AM	#11
Jimbob. Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 120	I now have 6x39w, bought myself a Pendant, two 14k whites, two Aquablue + and two 50:50 Hybrid Bulbs. Would that be sufficient for some SPS? Last edited by Jimbob.; 06/07/2011 at 05:35 AM.

06/07/2011, 06:37 AM	#12
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	I would say yes but just to clarify what you have what is the pendant (halide?) and are the 50/50 bulbs power compacts? Sounds like you have T5's, halides and power compacts but maybe I am wrong. __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

06/07/2011, 06:47 AM	#13
Jimbob. Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 120	I have T5's. The 50:50 are Hybrid T5's, sorry should have made clearer

06/07/2011, 06:59 AM	#14
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	10k is more white/brite and growth will be good while 14k will be bluer and colors will pop out more. i personally run 20k bulbs. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

06/07/2011, 07:16 AM	#15
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	Yes you have enough light but I wouldn't try and grow acros on the sand bed. Not sure of the PAR of the 50/50 bulbs but you may want to change those out for higher PAR bulbs like the ATI Blue+, Aquablue Special or even something like a Purple+ (lower PAR but still decent) down the road. __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

06/08/2011, 01:46 AM	#16
Jimbob. Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 120	I will be getting a Purple tube soon, unsure of the PAR of the 50/50 bulbs, but i know they combine a 10k white with an Actinic hue. Are 2 14k whites sufficient? What would you say to running another Blue Plus and a Purple? Current tube config is 50/50 Blue Plus 14k White Blue Plus 14k White 50/50 I certainly wouldn't try keeping Acro's on the Sandbed, but it would be nice to know that when my tank is stable with Params, that i can begin my journey into SPS without too much fuss

06/09/2011, 06:48 PM	#17
Jimbob. Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 120	The 50:50 tubes are supposed to have similar PAR output to the 14k, would anyone recommend changing one out for a KZ Fiji purple?

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